VR before surgery

Immersive virtual reality exposure for reducing perioperative anxiety in children

Undergoing surgery can be understandably daunting for children. To address this issue, we worked with the Hong Kong Children's Hospital, City University of Hong Kong, and Playright Children's Play Association to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in alleviating perioperative anxiety among young patients.

The study involved children scheduled for elective surgeries. Once they donned the VR headset, they were immersed in realistic scenarios depicting the operating theatre, accompanied by narration from anaesthesiologists and hospital play specialists. This innovative approach allowed children to virtually rehearse for their upcoming procedures.

To make the experience more engaging, we incorporated interactive elements into the VR storyline. Children embarked on a treasure hunt alongside a panda, during which they chose the color of their surgical gown and the scent of the anaesthetic face mask. They then walked into a virtual operating theatre, encountering various healthcare staff and equipment. Hospital play specialists were also on hand to help the children familiarise themselves with the anaesthetic face mask.

Preliminary analyses from the clinical randomised controlled trial indicated that this VR-enabled approach effectively reduced perioperative anxiety in children while also enhancing parental satisfaction.